Review by Choice Review
Except in summary toward the end, the book does not, as the subtitle might suggest, posit anything about the nature of consciousness, the great mystery now being explored by neuroscientists and philosophers, among others. Instead it examines comprehensively the paradoxical consequences that abound in the Copenhagen Interpretation of classical quantum mechanics--specifically, the notion that conscious observation appears necessary in order to transform the superposition of disparate quantum states into the immutable reality of common experience. This is the "spooky" (the word is Einstein's) world that the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen paradox confronted and hoped to disown but that the experimental confirmation of Bell's Theorem validated. Thus, physicists continue to trust their magnificently precise, reliable quantum calculations while little heeding what one of them has referred to as the "skeleton in the closet," namely, the theory's putatively contradictory picture of the real. Rosenblum and Kuttner (both, physics, Univ. of California, Santa Cruz) are no dogmatists; rather, they at times seem anguished by the situation and invite readers to choose from among possible explanations that try to make sense of the seemingly nonsensical. Thoroughly engaging for both seasoned physicists and interested laypersons. Fascinating, important. ^BSumming Up: Highly recommended. General readers; upper-division undergraduates through professionals. M. Schiff CUNY College of Staten Island
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
